WILDOMAR: Irrigation resumes at Wildomar park

After the city announced it was closing the parks, Little League youth baseball and Pop Warner youth football representatives stepped forward, saying they wanted to work with the city in attempting to keep at least the sports fields open.

That led to the formation of Friends for Wildomar Parks as a vehicle for raising money and organizing volunteer efforts.

The organization remains in negotiations with the city on an operating agreement for Marna O'Brien, because the city still has jurisdiction over the park.

While managing to keep the park available, Lloyd said the nonprofit faces an uphill battle in raising enough money to return the park to ideal conditions.

Ideally, the group is striving to raise $48,000 annually, but $28,000 would be a more realistic figure, he said.

"We're not in the red financially," he said. "We're squeaking by in the black, but as we get into summer when we need to water more, I"m concerned."

Friends for Wildomar Parks' next fundraiser is an ice cream social scheduled from 3 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at
Cold Stone Creamery
, 25395 Madison Ave., Suite D106, in Murrieta.

A portion of proceeds from ice cream sales from those who participate will go to the organization. Coupons are available on the Friends' website,
www.wildomarparks.org
.